Chad Trautvetter
Online Editor
Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group. He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion, the student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot magazine, he joined AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.
Latest from Chad Trautvetter
Aircraft
Aerion SSBJ Now a Trijet with Bigger Cabin, More Range
Despite the configuration changes, Aerion anticipates that its now $100 million-plus supersonic business jet will still be certified in 2021.
111-foot Global 7000 Mockup Draws Even Longer Lines
Ultra-long-range jet features a four-zone cabin with a volume of 2,637 cu ft.
Safe Flight Introduces Aircraft Icing Detector
Patented optical Icing Conditions Detector provides an alert that icing conditions exist before ice can accrete on the aircraft.
Regulations and Government
Embraer Phenom 300 Obtains EASA Approval for Steep Approaches
The steep-approach feature is available immediately for EASA-configured Phenom 300s.
Charter & Fractional
Wheels Up Plans European Service In 2015
Wheels Up announced plans to begin offering charter flights to its members in Europe in the first half of next year.
FlightSafety, Gulfstream Team on Science-based Pilot Training
A new effort by FlightSafety and Gulfstream will help pilots deal with real-world safety scenarios.
Aircraft
Aerion SSBJ Design Becomes Trijet With Larger Cabin, More Range
The first flight of Aerion’s revamped SSBJ is expected in late 2018 or early 2019, with certification anticipated in 2021.
Dassault Takes Wraps Off Ultra-long-range Falcon 8X
Certification is expected in mid-2016, with deliveries beginning in the second half of that year.
Gulfstream Rides On Wings Of Prosperity
The primary driver for Gulfstream is its flagship G650, though sales of the G450 and G550 are still holding up.
Business Jet OEM Issue First Quarter 2014 Results
A quick look at how the five major business jet OEMs fared in the first quarter of 2014.
Aircraft
Daher-Socata TBM 900 Makes EBACE Debut
The aircraft on static display, registered as D-FRAS, was the seventh TBM 900 to be delivered when it was handed over to Rheinland Air Service on April 10.
Hangar8: High-value London Property Sales Driving Business Jet Demand
The number of business flights into London’s busiest business aircraft airports increased 6 percent year-over-year in the first quarter.
Relaunched AIN News App Now Works with Both Android and iOS Devices
App provides a real-time feed of all aviation news published online by AIN.
Rotorcraft
Sikorsky Mulls Civil Version of S-97 Raider
The S-97 is a production-ready, “scaled-up version of the X2 demonstrator.”
Dassault Falcon 7X Sets Speed Record Between Teterboro and London City Airports
Test pilot Philippe Deleume and Dassault operational pilot Olivier Froment were at the controls.
Charter & Fractional
Luxaviation Acquires London Executive Aviation
Combined, the companies have 470 employees and 90 aircraft across five European operating companies.
Regulations and Government
AOPA Marks 75th Anniversary Today
Primary mission is to protect the freedom to fly for the growing population of general aviation pilots and aircraft owners.
JetNet Revamps and Rebrands Customer Relationship Management Tool
Improvements include specific aircraft selection and sorting with ownership and sales histories.
Business Aviation Leader Jim Christiansen Flies West
He led several large air charter firms, as well as NetJets, over his nearly 50-year career.
Rotorcraft
Marenco SH09 Helicopter First Flight Expected by July
Start-up manufacturer Marenco Swisshelicopter is testing systems on the prototype.
Air Culinaire Opens In-flight Kitchen at San Jose Mineta Airport
Facility will help company keep up with increasing client demand and enable last-minute requests in Silicon Valley.
Argus: Fractional Flying Bounces Back in April
Business aircraft flying continued its upward trend in April 2014, climbing 1.4 percent year-over-year.
Known Crewmember Program Expanded To Nonscheduled Charter Pilots
Risk-based screening system enables TSA officers to verify the identity and employment status of flight crewmembers.
Navtech Launches iCharts at Arinc EFB Forum
It also plans to release eCharts, a Windows version of its electronic chart software, at the end of next month.
Bombardier Begins Building Next-gen Globals
The Global 7000 and 8000 are expected to enter service in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
FlightSafety and Satcom Direct Team on Satcom Training
Curriculum delves into the inner workings of aircraft communications equipment, including how the satellite functions.
Aircraft
Sikorsky Rolls Out Heavy-lift CH-53K Helicopter
The mostly composite helicopter–dubbed the “King Stallion”–will fly by year-end, with operational service expected in 2019.
Charter & Fractional
Elit’Avia Obtains Aircraft Operator Certificate from Malta
Elit’Avia has a fleet of 15 aircraft that serves clients worldwide.
European Business Aviation Flying Continues Climb
There were 52,931 business aviation flights in Europe in March, a 22-percent month-over-month increase and a 2.1-percent year-over-year rise.
Charter & Fractional
1Q Revenues Soar at NetJets, FlightSafety
NetJets revenues reflected increased sales of fractional aircraft, while FlightSafety’s increase was thanks to increased simulator training activity.
